Channel 9 signs $575m broadcast deal to retain NRL free-to-air rights

All three of the NRL’s television broadcast partners have signed new contracts, netting the league a total of more than $2bn.

The Penrith Panthers won the 2021 NRL grand final. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Channel 9 will retain its exclusive rights to the NRL grand final and State of Origin until at least the end of 2027 as part of a new $575m deal between the league and its long-term broadcast partner.

The deal, announced on Monday, means Fox Sports, Nine and Sky TV New Zealand have all agreed to broadcast contracts that will yield more than $2bn in revenue for the NRL before they run out in 2027.

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As part of Nine’s new deal, the network will continue showing three regular season games on free-to-air television each week until the final five rounds of the season when viewers will be able to watch four.

Nine’s radio stations 2GB and 4BC will continue broadcasting games, and the network has also been given the green light to show NRLW games.

The broadcast agreement promises “a joint commitment to grow and promote the game from grassroots participation to the elite level across all of Nine’s media platforms” and “a focus on broadcast innovation and presentation of the game for fans”.

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys said the broadcast deal was a strong outcome for fans. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“Today is an exciting day for our fans,” said ARLC chairman Peter V’landys.

“This is more than a broadcast deal, it’s a partnership to grow rugby league using all of Nine’s media platforms – television, radio and print.

“It was a priority for the commission to secure the long term future of the game. In doing so it was important to ensure that a long-term partnership reflected the commission’s desire to grow the game at all levels, to invest in innovation and to ensure we have a partner that can help grow the game from participation to pathway competitions and premierships.

“Nine has been a loyal partner for 30 years and I’m delighted that that partnership will continue until at least 2027.”

V’landys revealed that all three broadcast partners had upped their financial commitment to the game.

“The commission has now secured increased commitments from all three broadcast partners until the end of the 2027 season,” he said.

“These long-term deals highlight the strength of our game and the confidence broadcasters have in investing in rugby league.

“Broadcast deals generate the largest revenue for our game and having all three broadcasters committed until 2027, at a record level for the game, provides long-term financial certainty to invest and plan for the game’s future and the futures of our clubs.”

Nine extend broadcast agreement for NRL, State of Origin and NRLW through to 2027! 📺🏉

DETAILS ➡️ https://t.co/3Dc0upjrt9#9WWOS#NRLpic.twitter.com/pPhcFbJGSd

— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) December 20, 2021

Nine chairman Peter Costello added: “This is a major deal for our business to bring this exciting sport to the Australian public across our platforms. The negotiation has been constructive and in the spirit of partnership across our businesses and we thank the NRL for the positive engagement in the process for an outcome that benefits all Australians and fans of the game.”